Sox rally to beat Indians

BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox and Indians exchanged nearly as many mistakes as runs for seven innings before a string of clutch hits and a friendly gust of wind helped Boston build the decisive rally.

Pinch-hitter Mike Carp drove in the tying run with an eighth-inning double and then scored on a double by Dustin Pedroia to lead the Red Sox past Cleveland 7-4 on Saturday.

Trailing 4-3 entering the bottom of the eighth, Boston scored four times off reliever Vinnie Pestano (1-1) to open the largest lead in a game that featured plenty of chances at the plate but little success for either club.

"It's big," said Carp, who broke out of an 0-for-21 skid on Friday night with a three-run homer in Boston's 8-1 win. "I was in a little bit of a slump. To be able to come out of that and win the ballgame, it means a lot."

Pedro Ciriaco had three hits, including a one-out double that started Boston's rally in the eighth. After Pestano struck out Jacoby Ellsbury for the second out, Carp batted for Jonny Gomes and lifted a first-pitch fastball to left for a double that easily scored Ciriaco.

Pedroia followed with a shot high off the Green Monster, giving Boston its first lead of the game.

"This was a very good team win and we got contributions from a lot of guys," manager John Farrell said.

After Pedroia's hit, the Indians walked David Ortiz intentionally and Mike Napoli followed with a walk to load the bases. Daniel Nava hit a high popup to shallow left field, but the blustery wind turned a routine out into a bloop single and two RBIs.

"There were a couple of balls that were Fenway fly balls. I think the wind plays a factor, and The Wall. There's a lot of things going on out there. That's just a part of this ballpark," said Cleveland manager Terry Francona, who spent eight seasons in Boston. "The wind brought it back 20 feet and it ends up being in no-man's land."

Junichi Tazawa (4-2) struck out two in a hitless eighth and Andrew Bailey got three outs for his sixth save in seven chances.

Boston starter Jon Lester struck out a season-high eight in seven innings. He also hit a batter with a pitch as Cleveland scored twice to take a 3-1 lead in the third, then threw a costly wild pitch in the seventh.

Mike Aviles and Asdrubal Cabrera hit back-to-back singles in the seventh, then Lester allowed the go-ahead run with a wild pitch to Mark Reynolds that skipped past catcher David Ross. Lester ended up striking out, but Cleveland had regained the lead at 4-3.

"It didn't even make it to the plate. I didn't even give Rossy a chance to block it," Lester said. "I was on the same page as him, just trying to bury a curveball."

Cabrera had three hits, stole two bases, drove in a run and scored another for the Indians, who lost for the fourth time in five games. Nick Swisher added an RBI double and Carlos Santana a run-scoring single.

Scott Kazmir pitched five innings and struck out six for Cleveland. He gave up two runs, five hits and four walks.

"I thought he had to dodge traffic all day and make some really big pitches. They made him work from the first inning on, but he continued to make pitches," Francona said. "As a team today we just gave them extra opportunities and they took advantage."

Ciriaco had an RBI single in the second and Gomes' sacrifice fly tied it at 3 in the sixth after an error by Reynolds at third base. Jose Iglesias singled and Ciriaco followed with a bunt that Reynolds barehanded cleanly, but he rushed his throw and the ball skipped out of play, allowing both runners to advance.

NOTES: The four-game series concludes Sunday with Cleveland righty Corey Kluber (2-3) facing lefty Felix Doubront (3-2). ... Stephen Drew sat out for Boston, still sore from a slide he made last weekend in Minnesota, Farrell said. ... Francona said before the game he was thankful general manager Chris Antonetti traveled with the club as Francona made his return to Boston, where he managed the Red Sox for eight seasons and won two World Series titles. "It meant a lot to me," said Francona, who was welcomed back with a standing ovation Thursday night in the series opener. "I know he came up for moral support because I had some anxiety." ... Cleveland designated hitter Jason Giambi, hitless in his last 26 at-bats, did not play.